An SMI Air Force One braking system for our toad is being installed today. We had thought about using our now-superfluous Even Brake as a boat anchor, but SMI will take it as a "trade in" on their system, so it's boxed up and ready to ship.

Why would we give up on our Even Brake? Oh, just little things--like engaging when we were climbing UP the Sierras. (We're done buying anything from Roadmaster.)

That's what an Even Brake is supposed to do, too. When we bought it, the Brake Buddy was temporarily unavailable. The Even Brake never worked properly, and Roadmaster was unable to make it work properly. But even if it had worked as advertised, when we sold our 85 Classic 345 and bought our current 2001 Land Yacht 360XC (diesel pusher) we decided against another sit-on-the-floor braking system.

With the SMI Air Force One, hookup is much simpler and faster. Once the tow arms and cables are attached/detached, it's just get in and go. (We figure the speedy disconnect could be a real advantage in an emergency, too.)

The equipment costs are about the same. If you have to pay for installation, that cost will be higher for the AFO, but at our age it was well worth it for the improved performance and for being relieved of the forced "weight training" every time we hooked up or unhooked the toad.

After driving for years guessing what was on the other side of the cataract that was a plexiglass driver's side sliding window, we finally replaced it with a new slightly sliding glass window. (Thank you, NW Airstream of Portland!)

Well I'm trying to work up the courage to attack the wiring mess under the dash. Taking Keyair's advice I sprung for some Power Probe gear, this arrived today.

I got a deal on EBay for about half the list price. The interesting thing is the Hook which lists for $450 and the ECT 2000 lists for about $195. Notice the open cavity case the Hook comes in compared to the fitted compartments of the ECT 2000 case. Seems a little backwards to me.

Anyway now I just have to get up the guts to attack the rats nest under the dash with my new toys.

No Peter the toys are still here in the house, it will be a big step to carry them out to the moho. It may take awhile before I actually get the nerve to connect them to a circuit. Maybe I should by a couple more fire extinguishers first.